Infrared encoding of security elements using standard xerographic materials

Abstract

The teachings as provided herein relate to a watermark embedded in an image that has the property of being relatively indecipherable under normal light, and yet decipherable under infrared illumination when viewed by a suitable infrared sensitive device. This infrared mark entails, a substrate reflective to infrared radiation, and a first colorant mixture and second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate. The first colorant mixture layer in connection with the substrate has a property of strongly reflecting infrared illumination, as well as a property of low contrast under normal illumination against a second colorant mixture as printed in close spatial proximity to the first colorant mixture pattern, such that the resultant image rendered substrate suitably exposed to an infrared illumination, will yield a discernable image evident as a infrared mark to a suitable infrared sensitive device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Cross-reference is made to the following application filed simultaneously herewith and incorporated by reference herein: Eschbach et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed simultaneously herewith, entitled “INFRARED ENCODING OF SECURITY ELEMENTS USING STANDARD XEROGRAPHIC MATERIALS WITH DISTRACTION PATTERNS” (Attorney Docket No. 20070029Q-US-NP).[0002]Cross-reference is made to the following applications which are incorporated by reference herein: Eschbach et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed simultaneously herewith, entitled “INFRARED ENCODING FOR EMBEDDING MULTIPLE VARIABLE DATA INFORMATION COLLOCATED IN PRINTED DOCUMENTS” (Attorney Docket No. 20070293-US-NP); Bala et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 382,897, filed May 11, 2006, entitled “SUBSTRATE FLUORESCENCE MASK FOR EMBEDDING INFORMATION IN PRINTED DOCUMENTS” (Attorney Docket No. 20050309-US-NP); Bala et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]It is desirable to have a way to provide for the detection of counterfeiting, illegal alteration, and / or copying of a document, most desirably in a manner that will provide document security and which is also applicable for digitally generated documents. It is desirable that such a solution also have minimum impact on system overhead requirements as well as minimal storage requirements in a digital processing and printing environment. Additionally, it is particularly desirable that this solution be obtained without physical modification to the printing device and without the need for costly special materials and media.

[0012]Further disclosed in embodiments herein, is an infrared mark indicator comprising an infrared reflecting substrate and a first colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate. The infrared mark indicator further comprises a second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate in substantially close spatial proximity to the printed first colorant mixture. The resultant second colorant mixture has the property of high infrared reflectance in conjunction with the substrate, and a property of low visual contrast against the first colorant mixture, such that the resultant printed substrate image suitably exposed to an infrared illuminant, will yield a discernable pattern evident as a infrared mark when viewed with an infrared sensing device.

[0014]Further disclosed in embodiments herein, is an infrared mark indicator comprising an infrared reflecting substrate and a first colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate, the first colorant mixture having a property of high infrared reflectance in conjunction with the substrate. The infrared mark indicator further comprises a second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate in substantially close spatial proximity to the printed first colorant mixture, the second colorant mixture having a property of low infrared reflectance in conjunction with the substrate, and a property of low visual contrast against the first colorant mixture, such that the resultant printed substrate image suitably exposed to an infrared illuminant, will yield a discernable pattern evident as a infrared mark when viewed with an infrared sensing device.

Problems solved by technology

However, these special inks and materials are often difficult to incorporate into standard electro-photographic or other non-impact printing systems like solid ink printers, either due to cost, availability or physical / chemical properties.

This in turn discourages their use in variable data printing arrangements, such as for redeemable coupons or other personalized printed media for example.

Images